Core Insights - Bio-Techne reported second-quarter fiscal 2026 results that were largely in line with internal expectations, with organic revenue flat due to strength from large pharmaceutical customers offset by softness in emerging biotech and U.S. academia [4][6] - Adjusted EPS was $0.46, reflecting a 10% year-over-year increase, while GAAP EPS was $0.24, up from $0.22 a year earlier [1][4] - The company expects Q3 organic growth to mirror Q2, with specific headwinds from cell therapy timing and an OEM order shift [4][22] Financial Performance - Total revenue for the quarter was $295.9 million, flat year over year on both a reported and organic basis, with foreign exchange providing a 2% tailwind [6] - Adjusted operating margin expanded approximately 100 basis points to 31.1%, despite a decline in adjusted gross margin to 68.5% due to unfavorable product and customer mix [5][7] - Profitability improved, with adjusted EPS increasing to $0.46 and operating margin expansion expected to continue for the full fiscal year [5][16] Segment Performance - Protein Sciences reported sales of $215.1 million, up 2% year over year, but organic revenue declined 1% [8] - Diagnostics and Spatial Biology posted Q2 sales of $81.2 million, down 4% year over year, with organic growth of 3% after accounting for the Exosome Diagnostics divestiture [10][11] - The cell therapy business experienced a decline of over 30%, including a 50% drop in GMP reagents, due to a purchasing pause related to FDA Fast Track designations [9] Geographic Trends - China and broader APAC regions showed strong growth, with China growing mid-single digits and APAC approaching 20% [12] - The Americas experienced a decline in high single digits, though adjusting for cell therapy order timing, the region grew low single digits [13] - EMEA was flat compared to a strong prior year, with diagnostics strength offset by order timing dynamics [13] Market Dynamics - Large pharma revenue increased low double digits for the fourth consecutive quarter, while emerging biotech declined mid-single digits, indicating a split in market performance [14] - U.S. academic revenue reported a low single-digit decline overall, with some stability noted in Europe [14] - Management highlighted constructive developments in U.S. federal funding proposals, including a budget increase and maintained indirect funding rates [14] Future Outlook - The company anticipates Q3 organic growth to be consistent with Q2, with underlying trends expected to improve [15][16] - Management expects mid-single-digit underlying growth for the remainder of the business, with sequential improvement anticipated as revenue increases seasonally [16] - Strategic themes discussed included investments in cell therapy, proteomic analysis instruments, and spatial biology, positioning the company for gradual end-market improvement [19][18]